A packed house filled Silverdale Stadium June 13 as the community celebrated the class of 2025 at Klahowya Secondary School’s graduation ceremony.

Salutatorian Tyler Larson and Valedictorian Quinn Rogers gave speeches at the ceremony, both offering differing perspectives on their journeys through high school and the paths they took to reach the end.

“Most of us start here in sixth grade,” Larson said. “We walked through those doors excited, nervous, and full of attention, just like that little baby Taylor guitar [Larson played guitar growing up]. We were still trying to figure out what kind of music to make. We were protected, nurtured, and taught by an amazing staff. There were days we loved it, days we hated it, days that hurt and yes, days we cried.”

Larson continued on in his speech explaining that the class of 2025 “kept showing up, kept trying, and kept learning,” and over time, the student body got better.

Rogers conveyed a message of not being able to predict his future self and that most of the student body as well as the audience, cannot predict their futures either.

“Truth is, I have no idea where I’ll be after high school or after I finish college,” Rogers said. “Heck, I don’t even know if I will finish college. Crazy thing for the valedictorian to say, I know. How many of you graduates know your future when I ask you to describe your life in five years?”

Rogers ended his speech saying that the class of 2025 has already succeeded and to not let themselves stop from doing great things with the rest of their lives.

“What’s stopping us from doing great things with the rest of our lives, class of 2025?” Rogers said. “The future is in your hands now. Get out there and embrace it.”

Klahowya Valedictorian Quinn Rogers speaks at the June 13 graduation ceremony in Silverdale.

Klahowya Salutatorian Tyler Larson gives his speech at the graduation ceremony June 13.